Blog 5- Jake Moore

"The only point I want to make is this, that in order to make the tough decisions we have to know what our values are and who we're fighting for and our priorities and if we are spending $300 billion on tax cuts for people who don't need them and weren't even asking for them, and we are leaving out health care which is crushing on people all across the country, then I think we have made a bad decision and I want to make sure we're not shortchanging our long term priorities."

- Senator Obama Sept, 26 2008 first Presidential Debate with Senator McCain at the University of Mississippi.-

This quote is from Senator Obama after he answered a question from Jim Lehrer, "Are you willing to acknowledge both of you that this financial crisis is going to affect the way you rule the country as president of the United States?"  After he answered the question Obama ended with "The only point I want to make is this."  Saying this will make the viewers listen more carefully to what he has to say.  If it is the, only point, then this must be pretty important.  He goes on to list what the people have to know in order to make tough decisions.  Senator Obama's first three items he list all excite the audience.  When most people say our values, who we're fighting for, and our priorities they are usually talking about freedom or war.  Whenever somebody talks about these two subject people seem to perk up, and now that Obama states that these are priorities on making tough decisions will help get him votes.  He then gives an example of what McCain wants to due with the $300 billion tax cuts for people who don't need them or even asked for them.  This money will help out fortune 500 companies who really do not need any more money, and will hurt the average family.  Not only will it hurt the average family, but also will not help out health care or many other problems in our economy.

President Obama uses tactical wording in his debate to get his strongest points to stick in the viewers' heads.  With him ending one of his arguments with, "the only point I want to make is this," and then gives six examples of flaws with Senator McCain will help him receive votes.  Some of these examples such as, health care, $300 billion, values, and priorities, are important issues in today's society.  With him talking about these particular issues also gives him a advantage.

"The one point I want to say is this, that in order to make the difficult decision we have to know what our morals, are why we're fighting, and our priorities and if we are spending $300 billion on tax cuts for people who don't need them and weren't even asking for them, and we are leaving out social security which is hurting on people all across the country, then I think we have made a bad decision and I want to make sure we're not shortchanging our long term priorities."